Ole Miss Withers Under Stifling Kentucky Attack

NASHVILLE — For Kentucky the Southeastern Conference tournament isn't so much a test as it is a launching pad.

It's a chance to get Wildcat Nation in traveling mode, spar with three SEC underlings and pose with another trophy. Kentucky won its eighth conference title in 10 years, pummeling Mississippi 77-55.

This one was over at halftime, after the Wildcats held Ole Miss scoreless for five minutes. In that span the Rebels missed eight shots in a row and had two turnovers to give the Wildcats a 33-16 lead.

Then the only suspense was how high Kentucky (22-9) would be seeded and where it would play in this week's NCAA tournament.

"We expect to go far," said tournament most valuable player Tayshaun Prince (26 points, 12 rebounds). "If we play the way we did in the SEC, we're in good shape."

Prince's coach, Tubby Smith, echoed his star, saying, "We're confident we can play with any team in the country."

Smith couldn't have said that in December without sounding foolish. They were an un-Kentucky-like 5-5 with losses to St. John's and Penn State. They've gone 17-4 since.

"We're much better than two or three months ago," said freshman starter Jason Parker. "We have leaders now and we're listening to Coach more. I think some players weren't listening to the coaches as much as they should have."

The leadership came from Prince, a 6-foot-9-inch junior who is equally comfortable shooting three-pointers or hooks in the lane. Prince says he hasn't thought about leaving school after this season for the NBA, but he'll clearly be a high pick whenever he turns pro.

"Tayshaun took charge when he had four or five games scoring 25 points," Parker said. "Whenever he wants the ball, we get it to him."

Still, this is a more balanced Kentucky team because Parker (seven points, four rebounds) gives the Wildcats a genuine post scorer. Earlier in the season Kentucky was all about jump shots.

"That's the main plan--get the ball inside first," Parker said. "That's what opens up Tayshaun and Keith" Bogans, who had 19 points and five rebounds.

The Rebels (25-7) were supposed to be superior defenders, but that never materialized. Kentucky held Ole Miss to 7-of-35 shooting and forced seven first-half turnovers.